Understanding the multifaceted practice of meditation and how if benefits the Mind, Body, and Spirit.
Meditation can be defined as a set of techniques that are intended to encourage a heightened state of awareness and focused attention. Meditation is also a consciousness-changing technique that has been shown to have a wide number of benefits on our overall well-being.
PHYSIOLOGICAL
Meditation Reduces
Blood Pressure
Heart rate, enabling the heart to work more efficiently even after meditating.
Cholesterol
Respiratory rate, decreasing carbon dioxide accumulation and reducing oxygen consumption.
Lactic acid, a waste product of muscle contraction.
Body's metabolic rate, so that cells actually need less oxygen.
Meditation Increases:
A relaxed state, be strengthening the neurological circuits calming the part of the brain that triggers fear and anger.
Positive emotions, as the part of the brain that help form them become increasingly active.
The quality of sleep, relieving insomnia and promoting more restful sleep.
The body's natural pain killers: endorphins and enkephalins, as well as the neurotransmitter serotonin.
EEG synchronicity, improving communication between the right and left hemisphere of the brain and the mind-body coordination.
Brain rhythm changes from beta to alpha waves, increasing relaxation and creativity.
Recovery from exertion.
Recovery from stress.
Recovery from sleep deprivation.
Resistance to disease.
PSYCHOLOGICAL
Meditation Reduces:
Mental tension and anxiety.
Stress-related abnormalities such as sleep deprivation, stuttering, and extreme nervousness.
Dependence on external substances such as cigarettes, alcohol and drugs.
Depression, and it effects, such as hopelessness, mood swings, and isolation.
Selfish desires and expectations.
Sense desires, wild imagination, envy, obsession, ill-will, laziness, selfishness, worry, anger and hatred.
Meditation Increases:
Sense of personal identity.
Creativity, energy and general productivity levels.
Serenity, detachment, and dispassion.
Healthy emotional expression, humor.
Contentment, a sense of well-being and happiness.
Physical
Increase mind-body coordination.
Improves athletic performance.
Shortens reaction times.
Increases perceptual ability.
Mental
Produces a calmer, clearer mind.
Improves ability to focus.
Increases self-awareness,
Allows negative thoughts and suppressed feelings to surface from subconscious mind, facilitating letting go habitual negative thoughts and allows us to face suppressed emotions.
Develops positive attitudes, patience and adaptability.
Increases equanimity, which in turn helps to:
Remain peaceful and less affected by outside events.
Make better decisions.
Improve discrimination and dispassion.
Promotes broader comprehension.
Increases ability to learn.
Social
Increases ability to get along with people and to cope with different environments.
Increases job performance, productivity and satisfaction.
Decreases hostility.
Promotes better relationships with bosses, co-workers, and family members.
Spiritual
Facilities self purification.
Increases awareness of inner stillness.
Develops humility, acceptance, unconditional love, compassion and forgiveness.
Frees us from the ego.
Creates a sense of spiritual oneness with all beings and things.
Brings a deeper understanding of, and desire for, selfless service.
Provides an experience of permanent peace and ultimate knowledge of the Truth.
Brings awareness of inner peace, love and joy.
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